Fiber spinning method and apparatus



p 1 D. E. O'CONNOR 2,612,654

FIBER SPINNING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Oct. 2, 1948 2 SHEETSSHEET l mvm/zj Q Pcmw/ 11 Ml, 44m, 54/;

Y Jib Oct. 7, 1952 D. m. gfgcNNoR 12,

2 SHEETS--SHEET 2 I\ ll I. II I m\ l I k i MM m Patented Oct. 7, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I FFBEB srmme METHOD llawi f i QQqnn esflbam; M in 7 Application outcome 2, 1948,, Serial 52.5%,

This ave-m relates tpa mpt vemente n.-

fiher winnin entr iu a fen e. i

organic and inorganic viscous substgnce; V effectively and fiitie tlb wed to be 1a egmmerszielly 2 Q sp escqw bated: with. r or. com eta fiber-S i ng. n edu .F exam le t HY u QI! hampe ticulfl ll i zy-iil themanuiaqtur Q mi 11 Q9l nd g ass Wm} i1 ;t$. v en be s-made in)!!! chemi at sbe ;c, v and f m ver eus et an qanq eii liin ltsla antetipn-m c YW Q 1 41147- ctors it shou d be of nven ion ngtelt uti ty Wh reve a ub anee t9 be geeverted tqfiher evsfavrew tefe c riiu t thrqwin i bulqs o sub tene 3911; 2% .swiit y rotatines mn nmemben:

Mineyal WQOl fibem. 30%. W01 fiber 53nd wh tfibers Q tbe een m -bqla s to whi h theion enti nr lat s, cust mfl ily' a e p vsmqed o m m ally. by directin e bla t o an .steam a tqs t Q rect q of, a. Ye tieelv s ream the avifi ous 1?- sten e whieh. is to be onv ned t 11 m 'Qr diner l he vieq ue Substance is a. molt n/ a e, fiHYflEi-QE; by rr w zwiw m cup a anel c riic s eam b ea ext qles ele lesi t z ug spa-9e; trin he ii-th fiberse "2 3 99 at a e '9 Lexi-eaengine -rq bie in that. they add; eemisie abl k 3 a umnae fiubsti tia e tmu'ble 1S i emted t meme he We; h o an iv n 9f 11106. wlt t utfe rtifi t se 8 l J eeteble to the $2. 9

eeeqt qeble finale l qu d and emirli lllii .subiste i es 3261a iib bfi: state More. pett flqula t itlfilfitfi 1 9% 1 1 proved methqd a eretw whe eby vari W ile t will bedew b d here hemmed bhever en mlg 91 hef pbul w and tir'l v" 11bit est; i Titnif.

11.1. (o1. ag-2,5,

' A steam b st temper t r 91 reqired caheciw'neede hundr d r' e pdwet'eleqt ie ete; to drive w installation o; ef' am'g. production v JIBS- $12311 P 1 58 r ri br i ro fat ,r ci' e hund ed o ls.

in t al e hsu ui m nt'i' hi an wet n mist 19E512:

. Effio t ir c s? werd' d i n, of in l nd have resulted in-nurnelgoug p'toposal Whibh utilize e m me to, jwi v t; a viscous w el e tov a; er ee as a, u t Q, a. temriifig'al hr n of u eeoi t e eulqste ee through w h highveloqity. -Thie-s owcalle d f ber-s pinningR 6-.

h s me 'wi on lj ii i d 51190655 P mill? because ny Pr n rmem b mmer fly raqtiwm n be n 00 l m fi e P1Q9i15 ea t processt m l a inner mem be w eh is relatively ineijcp'ensive to infibeti in oq du e a t o h. 1 1 1 m a ria 1y reduced the amount ofiishot? in any given, Q? then i t wer d Wi h h ai -an eam blastp l ocedures. 4 w

material: thernoltenmater ial suddenly is tantial redu d i em rat which n i equ ee the se enty qieaeh g u e t b m: ralet lyfibetie d beiqrfl s lidifi a n, cputel but effects a tempering of the material whereby the SQbS Q 1 iQm9 fiber 12% brittl i n re flitvwhkb t w qld ttz'e e i not ween;

a e. y helgwtne ,em etur of the molten substance Whigh is delivered to the spin and t e c ntrifu all hrow elobule are subjected to a gradual cooling as they fly thrOlh t e s rrou d n 'atmos he e Th #1 1 -are better conditioned for a more complete fiber at on ef- ,eeehlnb le, and t e r su t n fibers are pre esiliet t and flexib e. a tempered w th heb ehst-pmqe esi tim M .b semn-asn et at.- tathinei t9 th eewif o al @RlI-EQQI: p qtefis 1W to substantially increase the efliciency and productive capacity of fiber-producing centrifugal spinner mechanisms, as compared with prior comparable mechanisms of like ,size. I provide a method and means whereby a continuous supply of a viscous substance which is to be converted to fiber is positively separated on a spinner member into multiple generally radially directed individual streams of globules, and each globule moving outward to the periphery of the spinner is positively carried around the axis of the spinner member without appreciable angular slippage between the substance and the spinner member. As a result, the practicable speed of the spinner member may be increased substantially, as compared with practicable speeds of prior comparable mechanisms, with assurance that each globule which is ready to be thrown particular embodiment therein shown has a spinner-member l fixed on the upper end of a shaft l2 which latter is journalled in suitable bearin s M on spaced supporting elements Hi. If desired, the shaft l2, bearings I4 and supporting elements [6 may have associated with them any suitable means for maintaining them at satisfactorily low operating temperatures, such as air or water jackets (not shown). The spinner member may be driven in any convenient manner, such as through the bevel gears I8, 20, from any available and suitable source of power.

into space will have an angular speed equal to the peripheral speed of the spinner member.

Another object is to provide a centrifugal fiberproducing method and apparatus having provision for ensuring an approximate uniformity of size of the globules of a viscous substance which are thrown centrifugally from a spinner member. Means spaced at intervals around the peripheral portion of the spinner member provide radial walls defining radial passageways leading to the periphery of the spinner member, and the inner ends of the radial walls sever approximately uniform globule-quantities of the viscous substance from the supply quantity on the spinner member inward of the radial walls, whereby the globules travelling; outward-between the radial walls have approximately uniform size.

A further object is to provide a centrifugal fiber-producing method and apparatus wherein a viscous substance which is to be converted to fiber is thrown into space from surfaces disposed generally at right angles to the plane of rotation of the spinner member. 7

' It is, moreover, my purpose and object generally to improve upon prior methods and apparatus for producing fiber and more especially for increasing the efficiency and productive capacity of centrifugal fiber-spinning mechanisms.

In'the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a centrifugal fiberspinning apparatus embodying features of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 1, including a diagrammatic representation suggestive of the fiber-producing effect of the apparatus;

Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are top plan views of modified forms of spinner members, a portion of the spinner member in Fig. 5 being broken away;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary top plan-view of another modified form of spinner member;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary top plan view of still another modification;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view on line 8-8 of Fig. 6; I

The spinner member ID may be generally a flat disk but, according to the invention, a series of upstanding vanes 22 are equally spaced apart around the peripheral margin of the disk. The

vanes are rigid on'the upper face of the disk and, in the form of Figs. 1 and 2, they have radial extent from its periphery inward a distance approximating one fourth of the radius of the disk. However, the radial length of the vanes may be varied to suit particular requirements, and the shapeand directions of extent of the vanes may be selected to suit the requirements of any particular installation 'of any particular run of fiber, as suggested in the modifications of Figs. 3-6 of the drawings.

The spinner me ber or disk In is driven at high speed, and viscous material which is to be Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view on line 99 of Fig; 7; a

Fig. 10 is a medial cross-sectional'view of a sectional form of spinner member; and

.Fig. 11 is a medial'cross-sectional view of a further modified form of spinner member.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the

converted'to fiber isdeposited in a continuous stream on the upper face of the disk, inward of the vanes 22. Ordinarilythe material to be con verted will be in a molten state and may be fiowedto disk In along an inclined trough 24 or r the like delivery device from a source of supply,

such as a cupola, an electric furnace, a glass tank,or the like. The stream of viscous material"delivers to the swiftly rotating disk In at a locatiori' preferably at the center of the disk or to one side; of its axis' and between the axis and the circle of the inner ends of vanes 22, and the deposited material moves outward on the disk by centrifugal force. Inasmuch as the deposited material inward of the vanes 22 can slip on the disk as the disk rotates at high speed, the portionsfofthe-outwardly moving material reachingthe" inner ends of the vanes 22 become engaged by the swiftly and positively moving inner ends of theyanes'which act as knives for severing approximately uniform globule-quantities from the supply, and these globule-quantities enter between adjacent blades and each moves outward as a globule toward the periphery of the disk It). Each globule moves outward on one of the blades 22'and is positively carried around the disk axis'by the blade without possibility of angular slippage. Hence, each globule which is about to leave the periphery of the disk will have angular speed equal to the peripheral speed of the disk.

Heretofore, so far as I am aware, friction between the spinner members and the viscous material'has been relied upon to induce angular travel' of the material around the disk axis. Angular slippage between the disk and the material has reduced the angular speed of the material re'achingythe periphery of the disk substantially below theperipheral speed of the disk. Also,

there has'been no control heretofore tending to-- 7s a removable body of refractory material on said spinner member constituting the fiat central portion thereof and providing 'the'surface on which said viscous material is deposited. I

2. Apparatus for producing fiber comprising a spinner member mountedfor rotation at relatively high speeds about a verticalaxis, and having a flat central portion adjacent its axis, a spout for depositing viscous material on said spinner member at its flat centralportion, 'where by the deposited material travels outwardly on said member toward the periphery thereof under the urge of centrifugal force'simultaneously withv attainment of an angular velocity'in the direction of rotation of the spinner member, abutment means on the spinner member arranged and adapted to divide said deposited substance into separated outwardly moving portions, each said abutment extending above the plane of said spinner member from adjacent its T fiat central portion about the periphery of the spinner member and maintaining saidoutwardly moving portion of the material against angular slippage on said spinner member, whereby said material reaching the periphery of the spinner member may be thrown therefrom at an angular speed equal to the'peripheral speed of said member, said spinner member comprising a spinner body and having means for removably securing said abutment means to the spinner body;

3. In apparatus for producing fibers from viscous material, the combination comprising a circular-shaped spinner member mounted for rotation about its axis at relatively high speed in a substantially horizontal-plane. said spinner meinber having a substantially fiat upper surface provided with a pluralityof passageways definedby a plurality of upstanding walls positioned in spaced relation about the peripheral edge of said surface and extending inwardly therefrom a portion only of the distance to the axis of the spinner member, and a delivery device constructed and arranged to deposit said viscous material upon the surface of said spinner member between its axis and the inner ends of said walls.

4. In apparatus for producing fibers from viscous material, the combination comprising a circular-shaped spinner member mounted for rotation about its axis at relatively high speeds in a substantially horizontal plane, said spinner member having a substantially fiat upper surface provided with a plurality of upstanding vanes spaced about the peripheral edge of said surface and extending therefrom inwardly a portion onlyof the distance to the axis of the spinner member, and a delivery device constructed and arranged to deposit said'viscous material'upon the surface of said spinner member between its axis and the inner ends of said vanes. I 3

5. In apparatus for producing fibers from viscous material, the combination comprising a circular-shaped spinner member mounted for rota-' tion about its axis at relatively high speeds in a substantially horizontal plane, said spinner member having a substantially flat upperlsurface provided with a plurality of upstanding radially extending vanes spaced about the peripheral edge of said surface and extending therefrom inwardly a portion only ofthedistance to the axis of the spinner member, and 'a delivery device constructed and arranged to deposit said viscous material upon the surface'of said spinner member between its axis and the-inner ends of said vane.

6. In apparatus for producing fibers from vis- Si cous material, the combination comprising a circular-shaped spinner member mounted for rotation about its axis at relatively high speeds in a substantially horizontalplanejsaid spinner member having a substantially fiat upper surface provided with .a' plurality of upstanding vanes spaced about the peripheraledge of said surfacaeach of which extends therefrom "inwardly a portion only of the distance to the axis of the spinner member in angular relation to the adjacently positioned vanes, and a delivery device constructed andarranged 'to deposit said viscous material upon the surface of said spinner member between its axis and the inner ends of said vanes.

*7. In apparatus for producing fibers from viscous material, the combination comprising a circular-shaped spinner member mounted for rotation about its axis at relatively high speeds in a substantially horizontal plane, said spinner member having a substantially fiat upper surface provided with apluralityof upstanding arcuately shaped vanes spaced about the peripheral edge of said surface and extendng therefrom inwardly a portion only of the distance to the axis of the spinner member, and a delivery device constructed and arranged to deposit said viscous material upon the surface of said spinner member between its axis and the inner ends of said vanes.

8. In apparatus for producing fibers from v scous material, the combination comprising a circular-shaped spinner member mounted for rotation about its axis at relatively high speeds in-a substantially horizontalplane, said spinner member having a substantially flat upper surface provided with a plurality of upstanding vanes spaced about the peripheral edge of said surface and extending therefrom inwardly a portion only of the distance to the axis of the spinner member, each of said vanes having its inner end inclined in obtuse angular relation to the flat upper surface of said spinner member,

and a delivery devic 'constructed and arranged to deposit said viscous material upon the surface ofzsaid spinner member between its axis and the inner ends of said vanes.

9. The method of converting semi-liquid viscous substance into fibers, which consists of depositing said semi-liquid viscous substance upon a fiat surface of a rapidly rotating circularshaped spinner member provided with a plurality of spaced vanes upstanding from the surface thereof, which vanes extend from the periphery of the spinner member inward] short of the axis thereof, said sen i i l igii i d cous substance being depositedbetween the inner ends of the vanes and the axis of'the spinner member, the rotational speed of the spinner member being such that the semi-liquid viscous 7 material is moved toward the periphery of the surface by centrifugal forc and is .divi separated portions which are restrained g a i i i sz appreciable angularslippage on the surface by the spaced vanes-untilformed into fibers by bemg thrown centrifugally from the rotating surface at an anguar speed equal to the peripheral speleed of said spinner member.

0 The method of converting molt rial into fibers, which consistsof dep0s?ting :;d molten material upon a fiat surface. of a circular-shaped spinner member rapidly rotating about a vertical axis, which surface isprovided with a plurality of spaced vanes upstanding from the surface thereof that'extend from the periphery of the spinner member inwardly toward but short of the axis thereof, said molten material being deposited between the inner ends of the vanes and the axis of the spinner member, the rotational speed of the spinner member being such that the molten material is caused to travel outwardly to the periphery of the spinner member under the influence of centrifugal force and to be divided into separated portions which are held by the vanes against appreciable angular slippage on the spinner member until thrown off centrifugally from the edge of said spinner member at an angular speed equal to the peripheral speed of said spinner member.

11. The method of producing fibers which consists of flowing a continuous stream of semiliquid viscous material onto a rapidly rotating flat surface of a disk provided with a plurality of spaced vanes upstanding from said surface, which vanes extend from the periphery of said disk inwardly toward but short of the axis thereof, said stream of semi-liquid viscous material being flowed onto said disk surface between the inner ends of the vanes and the axis of the disk,

10 whereby the material is caused by centrifugal force to travel outwardly to the periphery of the disk and to be divided into separate portions which are held by said vanes against appreciable angular slippage on the disk surface until thrown off centrifugally from the disk at an angular speed equal to the peripheral speed of the disk.

DAVID E. O'CONNOR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 65,339 Butcher, Jr. et a1. June 4, 1867 1,399,848 Carlson Dec. 13, 1921 1,846,884 Lohmann Feb. 23, 1932 2,152,423 Von Reis Mar. 28, 1939 2,192,944 Thomas Mar. 12, 1940 2,194,727 Vello Mar. 26, 1940 2,305,172 Landgraf Dec. 15, 1942 2,318,821 Wallrath et a1 May 11, 1943 2,356,599 Landgraf Aug. 22, 1944 

